What to do when you lose inspiration

[Joel]

So I have a lot of ideas for writing novellas and other prose, but I have so many ideas that I can lose inspiration early into writing something, and I sputter out. Or I just don't know what to write next, how to transition between one scene which I have a good idea on and another scene where I think I'm going to start hitting a stride with. Luckily since I have a lot of ideas I always have another one to jump to and I can always return to one I'm stuck on when I have a better idea, but are there any tips on how to get past that without just backing off? I'd really like to know if there's anything that could help me out, because it's hard for me to finish a story when I'm just constantly running into a brick wall into each less than five chapters in.

[Nia]

Well one idea would be to outline if you aren't doing that already. I personally hate outlining so I am always looking for the easiest way to plan that won't stress me out. One thing I find helpful is to do a VERY simple "outline" of each chapter. And by simple, I mean just a few bullet points on the things I know I want to hit in sequence to keep things moving. I'm also word count driven which is a tool I use to keep myself focused. So for example, if I plan on a two scene chapter of about 3K words, I try to make each scene around 1500 words. And each of those scenes has a few bullet points. I actually mapped out a 35K word novella in about an hour just using this technique and the result was a complete manuscript in just a few weeks.

Another idea is to try some brainstorming and then see if you can organize your ideas into a sequence that will help you keep your plot. Maybe all you need is a few markers to get you back on track when you find yourself getting stuck.

I have learned that even a little planning can go a long way towards keeping the words flowing and keeping my sanity.

Good luck, and keep writing!

[[deleted user]]

I write notes to keep that idea in place (highlight them) and continue to the next scene. Eventually I go back to the notes. I had to write a scene where my MC goes on a date and I didn't know what to write exactly. All I knew was that the date will be a bit awkward. Was the last note in my novella. I remembered that I wrote an assingnment for one of my Creative Writing class (couldn't remember which class - all I remembered was that it was for grade and it should be a file buried somewhere in my computer). I found it, rewrote it and decided to write a prompt every day as it could be a lifesaver.

[Jane]

You could try just jumping straight into the second scene without worrying about the transition. Quite often once you have written the second (third whatever number) piece of action it becomes easier to go back and write the join

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Generally, I write out the scenes that are clearest in my head, first, then as I'm rewriting and editing, I will smooth things over, adding in extra scenes or expanding ones that end too abruptly.

[B.A.]

You really aren't loosing inspiration. What I'm hearing is that you don't know where to take the story next. As suggested, try outlining the plot and highlights. It doesn't have to be detailed, just a guide as to where you are headed and how you plan to get there with all the stops along the way. It doesn't mean that is what you'll write, but it does keep you focused.

As Dwayne said, when you rewrite/edit you can add, subtract and smooth things over. The main thing is to get it down to a logical (or illogical) ending. What I start with is never what I end up with.

If you are having problems with plotting, take a course on what all you need and it will help to focus your ideas into a full story.
Also, a first draft seldom is good. For most of us, it requires a lot of changes to make it readable. As my mentor told me, start at the beginning and keep going until you reach the end. Don't worry about it being good or bad, just get it down.

[Anne]

Joel, there is a lot of good advice here already. I seldom wright in a straight line. I wright in bits and pieces and put them together as the plot is flushed out. I highly recommend an outline of the basic story. keep it handy to reference as you go. write the scenes that are speaking to you at the moment and if you get stuck, write a different scene. you can put them in their proper sequence according to your outline as you progress. good luck!

[Bob]

Assuming you have a lead character, you should invent an objective or desire for him/her. Then start throwing obstacles in the way of achieving that desire.

Without an objective (either to get something or get away from something), you grind to a halt. And if there aren't any obstacles, it'll be boring and nothing to invent additional scenes from.

Good luck!

[M.L.]

It's hard to find time to read every day, but that's what I would suggest: read every day and not only in your favorite genre. Pick the favorite of your stories and finish it. Get the inciting incident in place and let things happen. It doesn't have to be for publication; just write because you enjoy it. If you haven't read Haruki Murakami, read one of his books. He tends to start with something very everyday, and down the rabbit hole he goes. Try doing NaNoWri when it comes along and go for the goal. Good luck! :)

[Melanie]

You could try to meditate - It quietens your mind long enough for the important words to come through. I do it daily and it keeps my writing on track. Hope it helps!

[Jay]

"So I have a lot of ideas for writing novellas and other prose, but I have so many ideas that I can lose inspiration early into writing something, and I sputter out."

Ideas, I’m afraid, are easy. And because they’re plot related, in the form, “This happens…then that happens…and then…” the result tends to read dispassionately, which kills immediacy and may cause you to lose interest in your own story.

The trick is to place your protagonist into the situation as-a-person, reacting to the situation in the moment they call now, not as an overview of events told by a voice whose emotion we can't hear (have the computer read it aloud to get what a reader "hears." Then, knowing what your protagonist believes, and plans—and misunderstanding as the protagonist may—the reader will live the scene vicariously instead of just learning the details. So instead of telling a story, you’re showing the character’s adventure from the inside. It's the difference between hearing about the vacation and living it.

In other words, for a scary story we don’t tell the reader that the protagonist is frightened, we terrorize that reader, and make them afraid to turn out the lights—an emotional rather than a factual experience. And that makes the reading, and the writing, more fun.

Our job is to toss things at the protagonist (and reader) that will make them want to do what the plot calls for. It’s not a methodology we learn in school, where they’re training us to write for our future employers (that’s why we wrote so many essays and reports and so few stories) but it’s worth a few trips to the fiction writing section of the local library system to pick up some tricks to turn your writing from outside-in, which is inherently dispassionate, to inside-out.

Hope this helps.

[Micah]

Perhaps look at using a writing program such as Scrivener. I've stopped using Word and moved over to that program because it makes organizing projects and writing a book in discrete scenes so much easier.

Each scene is essentially a text file that can be moved around as you like. So if you've got set scenes you know you want to include, but don't have linking scenes yet fleshed out, go ahead and write the ones you know. You can back fill and swap things around just by click/dragging in the browser window.

As you're writing, when you want to create a new scene: Ctrl-K and a new scene is created automatically, renamed and all you have to do is keep typing. Later you can chose to include/exclude scenes as you like.

I've currently got at least 4 projects going at once in Scrivener. I've mainly been focusing on 2. When I run into a slump on one, I'm able to just pop up one of the others and get rolling again on a "new" project.

And when projects are in down time, I tend to day dream about them a lot, imagining plot twists, "what if" scenarios, etc. After I think about them for a while I am usually able to get back into them and be productive again.

And finally, if you're not outlining, which I find clunky and rather oppressive (I'm not going to follow YOUR order, Mister Outline!), I find it almost essential that I understand where the story is going to end in at least a general sense, or else the project will slowly suffocate. So while your ideas gestate in the back of your mind, try to focus on what the ultimate resolution of the story should be. What's the final truth going to be? Who's the man behind everything? I've gone so far as to write "What's Really Going On" documents to keep the internal logic of my plots straight.

P.S. And read! Someone else suggested this. I find it helps tremendously not just in getting a feel for how to handle language, but also in writing style: how to organize scenes, how and when flashbacks work, how proper pacing of a plot helps propel the story in an appealing way. When in doubt, read.

[Micah]

Oh, and P.S. never take advice from strangers online without a huge grain of salt.

[J.S.]

I second, or third, the advice to brainstorm. When we're stuck, we start with the goal to list twenty things that could happen next. We include serious and silly items just to let our juices flow. There's no wrong answer at this point. As you're writing, let your mind relax. If a secondary thought comes from an idea you've listed, write that next to it. See if that leads to a third thought. Usually we know which direction we need to go before we've reached the twentieth idea.

[Justin]

Wait for it to come back? In all seriousness, plan and manage. See if you can work off whatever solid idea you have and go with it until you can't anymore. If you hit the brick wall and need inspiration then go to whatever gave you inspiration in the first place or perhaps look for another outlet. I know in most cases I get inspired and if the idea is good enough it usually sticks with me.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Jay wrote: " It’s not a methodology we learn in school... but it’s worth a few trips to the fiction writing section of the local library"

Actually, I learned a lot about creative writing in school. We wrote stories as far back as third grade and I even took a creative writing class in my senior year. I also took creative writing workshops in college. I took a number of literature courses all through junior high, high school, and college. Getting familiar with classic and great works of literature, discussing how they're written, etc. can definitely help improve one's writing.

Books on writing from the library can be helpful. Some are quite good.

It's also good to continue to read. Lots. Not only in the genre(s) you write, but in all genres. Study the books you read and see how various authors handle setting a scene, dialogue, character descriptions, etc.

[B.G.]

I am on my fifth historical novel and think the key to inspiration is discipline. I feel like I wrote the last two books a half hour at a time after working full time with a few extra hours on random Saturdays. Yet from not having a single word written to publication was less than a year for each of them. With fingers to keyboard inspiration is usually sure to follow. I know it sounds crazy but once I have done the research and sorted out a detailed chronology for the book, I let the story have free reign. I think you will be amazed by what you have inside you just waiting to be released.

[Justin]

I procrastinate like I've been doing but when I'm writing and run out of inspiration? I take a break but remember that I have to try and think. So I take a small break and read over what I have then if inspiration strikes I go back to writing and if not I wait it out until something does.

[S.]

I agree with B.G. Inspiration is a strange thing, I start out with a load of what I think are good ideas and sometimes the characters take hold and sometimes they don't. If they do, I find the plot takes its own course within the time/event framework for the period (I write mostly historical fiction); if not, I give myself targets, like only write a paragraph a day until I'm back on course. If that doesn't work, I read through what I've done so far and usually a way forward comes out. If not, I look at the same theme from a different angle. It nearly always works for me.

[Luz Divina]

Hola Noel,

Estoy de acuerdo con Nia, hacer un esquema sobre la trama te simplificará el trabajo. Marca en ese esquema tus ideas, las que pienses que son las mejores y deshecha las que no creas tan buenas. Escribe unos quince minutos al día y cuando te quedes en blanco, sal, date una vuelta, tómate un café, verás que la inspiración regresa. A mí me funcionó en mi primera novela.

[Amie]

Justin wrote: "I procrastinate like I've been doing but when I'm writing and run out of inspiration? I take a break but remember that I have to try and think. So I take a small break and read over what I have the..."

I'm a lot like Justin. I hold off until I feel it deep in my bones. But at the same time, I'm spending ample time allowing the story to come to me.

I'll lay in bed longer at night before falling asleep, thinking about it as what would happen if it were to go this way or that. I take longer showers as that's where my mind is always the most creative. And finally, I listen to music in my car, driving for hours if I need to. I know it's silly, but I actually find music that I believe fits the heart of my characters and what they want and just feel a song from their perspective.

[Dan]

Amie wrote: I know it's silly, but I actually find music that I believe fits the heart of my characters and what they want and just feel a song from their perspective."

I do this too! Especially for POV characters. I'll make character specific playlists, and any time I feel like I might need a little jolt while writing, I'll play them. Works every time.

[SJ]

I'm an editor in my spare time. So, if outlining scenes or simply taking some time off of that writing project aren't working for me, I use the brute force method. Don't worry about transitions--or even good writing techniques. Just write, sentence by sentence, what should happen in the plot.

"He runs. He sees a wall. He jumps over it. He runs out in the street. He gets hit by a car."

Now, instead of worrying about writing a brand new story or how chapters will transition from one to the other, I just have to worry about editing a bad chapter.

I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone, but it's a nice way for me to trick myself into stopping my procrastination and actually writing something.

[J.S.]

S. J. wrote: "I'm an editor in my spare time. So, if outlining scenes or simply taking some time off of that writing project aren't working for me, I use the brute force method. Don't worry about transitions--or..."

I like this approach and have used it myself. Some chapters have dialogue broken up with: She did something cool.

[J.S.]

Cora wrote: "Hey Joel,

Have you tried outlining or jotting down your ideas instead of just full blown writing the novellas at once? That might help you get your ideas together and see the full picture.

If you..."

I like giving a time frame to see what you can come up with. It makes it feel less looming and overwhelming.

[Amie]

Dan wrote: "Amie wrote: I know it's silly, but I actually find music that I believe fits the heart of my characters and what they want and just feel a song from their perspective."

I do this too! Especially f..."

Yesssss! Playlists. Me too, LOL.

[Lorraine]

I believe all authors are instinctively inspired and we never lose the inspiration. All of my writings were based on songs and poems written from interactions with people, mostly family members.

[C.C.]

S. J. wrote: "I'm an editor in my spare time. So, if outlining scenes or simply taking some time off of that writing project aren't working for me, I use the brute force method. Don't worry about transitions--or..."

S.J. - I love this idea. Thank you. ...

Another approach that helps me is to get out of my own head and listen to what's in others' heads. An efficient way for me to to this is to attend a local writers' group meeting or a spoken word event, where I get to hear how other people express their creativity.

[Samantha]

I try writing a full summary; the parts of the story that I'm really stuck on I write out separately in a notebook.

[K.A.]

Do a little research into a detail you already have nailed down, it may help give you that missing link. I know when I can't see where I'm going in the story I switch modes to gathering details, which even if that doesn't get you going again, you've likely gained extra insight on a story aspect and maybe more. If that fails, get outside -- if you can -- to at least give your eyes a break and some fresh air for the mind.

[Carlton]

Music. Preferably classical. And soundtracks of movies you've not yet watched. Music relaxes the mind and inspires ideas for themes, locations, characters and entire sequences.
Been doing this for years. It works for me.

[Sheila]

This may sound strange, but it works for me. =)

I use text to speech. When my words stop speaking to me, I literally have them speak to me. I have the last chapter read aloud and it always gets me back into the middle of what I was doing.

[M. Ray Holloway Jr.]

I ran into some family matters that messed with my mind for a couple of weeks. I couldn't focus on anything because the issues kept coming up in my head.

I set things aside for a couple of days (if you knew me, you would know how hard that is for me) and then just plowed back into my writing. After a few days of determined forcefulness, I found that it was becoming easier again, and now, my production is back up to where it was.

Just write. It may not be great, but that can be corrected in editing.

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Carlton wrote: "Music. Preferably classical. And soundtracks of movies you've not yet watched..."

Works for me, too, but I prefer a blend of rock, blues, jazz, country, rap, a little classical...

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

M. Ray Holloway Jr. wrote: "Just write. It may not be great, but that can be corrected in editing. "

Sometimes that's the funnest part, watching a smelly pile of garbage become more and more a work of art with each pass.

[G.G.]

Dwayne wrote: "M. Ray Holloway Jr. wrote: "Just write. It may not be great, but that can be corrected in editing. "

Sometimes that's the funnest part, watching a smelly pile of garbage become more and more a wor..."

I agree! And for future reference and help you write despite anything, keep a few of those passes and reread them when you lose inspiration. It will encourage you to write no matter what, because you'll know how well it will clean up later. :)

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

G.G. wrote: "I agree! And for future reference and help you write despite anything, keep a few of those passes and reread them ..."

Yeah, and it can be pretty amusing to go back and read the first draft later on and see just how different the book has become.

[Jane]

I am given to believe that Papa Hemingway used to get roaring drunk

[Dwayne, Head of Lettuce]

Jane wrote: "I am given to believe that Papa Hemingway used to get roaring drunk"

Yes. Yes, he did. And he punched out marlins and rode mad bulls through Cuba and shot lions in the streets of Spain and all kinds of manly man stuff.

[Jane]

Dwayne wrote: "Jane wrote: "I am given to believe that Papa Hemingway used to get roaring drunk"

Yes. Yes, he did. And he punched out marlins and rode mad bulls through Cuba and shot lions in the streets of Spai..."

I think I'll stick with the booze

[P.]

I don't think I'm adding much here, but outlining works very well for me. I also hate outlines, so I write them how they work for me, not how I was taught... maybe it's just semantics, but it works for me. I do a timeline for events in the story, and I keep it on one page. I write "Note A" or "Note B" for places where I need to expand, and write the note on the next page. This is all done on paper so I can see it all at once, and it resembles a mind-map rather than an outline... but the result is the same: a plan for the story. When I draft the story, I follow this timeline, and I let the characters and what's happening drive the actions and details of each chapter, and I only "control" my characters enough to keep them on the plot map. By the way, I'm a firm believer in developing good, strong characters that are not mirrors of me, but are their own people. They drive the story... within the map.

I agree with an earlier comment that it doesn't sound like you're lacking inspiration, but need to reign yourself in a little (I think they used the word discipline). Have a good plan, then sit and follow it, letting the story unfold. I've been quoting Tom Clancy a lot lately, because I think this simple statement really captures it: "Just write the damn story." Hahaha!!! Hope all this is helpful.